Well, I know that if an image is uploaded to Imgur service and is not seen within 6 months, it will be deleted. Now my question is: Is it considered as seen when I load the image from its direct URL (e.g: https://i.sstatic.net/r4stF.jpg) ? (note the file extension) instead of loading from its /gallery/ URL
PS: I know this question is a little Off-topic, but I think it's related with programming because I'm using the Imgur API.
My reading of their faq is that any view counts. They are not really a gallery site, so most images will only ever be seen embedded on other sites. It would be a bit rum of them to delete such images without being clearer about the rule.
However, my answer would be simply "ask them directly if you are worried" - https://imgur.com/contact
